I have created an "AMERICANA" folder in the Hamilton Library's Local History Collection. It will recall many of the very popular places and things from the past as I recall them during my 80 years in Hamilton and the Trenton-Mercer County area. I, and many other seniors over the age of 75 remember when "Supermarkets" were strategically placed throughout the area. Ours was on Hamilton Avenue between South Olden and South Logan Avenues.The exquisite engraving above is a very accurate representation of the early "Supermarkets" long before bar code readers and plastic bags.It was here that we got to order "Bokar", "Red Circle," and "Eight O'clock" coffee which was ground on site as we waited for the operator of the coffee grinder to bag it and add it to our order.
Tom:
ReplyDeleteYou left out the most popular brand of A&P coffeess; Eight O Clock"
Most of the young girls growing up used the "ties" from these coffee bags to keep their hair up or in curls.
2nd job ever had, delivering groceries to my neigbbors in my red wagon for Mr. Bland the A&P manager at South Warren near Fall St.
Mike Kuzma
MIKE, YOU OLD CODGER! YOU BEAT ME TO THE DRAW. I POSTED THE A&P WITHOUT8 O'CLOCK BECAUSE FOR THE LIFE OF ME I COULDN'T REMEMBER THE 3RD BRAND NOR FIND A GOOD GRAPHIC. FINALLY SUCCESS!
ReplyDeleteTHANKS, EAGLE EYE!
TOM
Hi Tom: Our A&P "supermarket'' was on the corner of Hermitage Avenue and Boudnot sts., three very long blocks from our home. My mother always shopped there and we walked and lugged the bags home. When she forgot an item or needed something for dinner, I rode my bike. Thanks for bringing back great memories. Regards
ReplyDeleteHI TOM....IN ADDITION TO A AND P WE HAD THE AMERICAN STORES AND ALSO A LOCAL STORE ON ALMOST EVERY CORNER OF THE BURG. IN THE 20'S AND 30'S, WHEN THERE WERE NOT MANY CARS AROUND, YOU JUST HAD TO WALK A FEW STEPS TO A STORE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. I STILL PREFER THAT SITUATION TO THE WAY WE SHOP TODAY. I GUESS I'M OLD FASHION BUT I BELIEVE MOST OLD TIMERS WERE BETTER OFF. AS ALWAYS, BEST REGARDS.
ReplyDeleteAH Tommy
ReplyDeleteGood old A&P. Our neighborhhod store was on Broad Street across from our church,Holy Angels.Walked from my house when Mom sent me to buy stuff like wonder bread coffee.Always liked shopping there because it "smelled" like fresh coffee and looked so clean and was dfullof good stuff.
Lee
GREAT TO HEAR FROM YOU, LEE. YES, THE AROMA OF THOSE OLD STORES WAS UNFORGETTABLE. ALSO, THEY WERE MUCH SMALLER THAN THE HUGE SUPERMARKETS WE HAVE TODAY.
ReplyDeleteTOMMY
I still pick up Eight O'Clock coffee in our local Shoprite. And it still smells the same when brewing. We went to the same A&P on Hamilton as you did, Tom. Sometimes we came in from Hobart thru the A&P parking lot. Our house on S. Olden faced Hobart & the bakery on the corner. My mom liked to go to Brown's for a quick soda on our way over, if I was lucky. Good memories.
ReplyDeleteLee, we lived a block or two further from the A&P, on South Clinton Ave, but still walked to the market past Winwebergs and Winowicz's Funeral Home.
ReplyDeleteMight you remember the store manager? His first name was Steve, and over the years he developed a very debilitating case of Parkinson's Disease.
As a small kid, I remember Snow Crop frozen concentrated orage juice, and yes, I stuck my tongue to the frosted metal end cap. THe Ann Page jams and jellies were great, but I was a peanut butter and jelly kid.
The longest walk in the world for my 4 year old legs was to the Hamilton A&P, all the way from Ward and Olden. Mom had a pull behind wire basket and she moved like the wind; I could barely keep up.
ReplyDeleteEd Millerick